Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, by our now walking together the way of the cross with Jesus, help us to come closer to Him and to share this greater closeness to Jesus with one another, those with whom we live and work and all of our brothers and sisters everywhere. We make our prayer to you through Jesus, your Son and our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Meditation
They carried the body of Jesus to the new tomb of Joseph which was located in a garden nearby. There they quickly wrapped it in a shroud with myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus. Then they laid it in that rock tomb, rolled a heavy stone across the entrance and went off to observe the sabbath rest. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite the tomb for a time; then they too went away.
Prayer
Jesus, despite the heavy stone at the entrance, the seal put upon it by the chief priests and the guards they had stationed there, your tomb could not keep you locked up in the cold dark quiet of death. We long for the day, Lord, when every tomb shall have to release its dead as yours did you.
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, You made us in your image. When we disfigured it by our sin, You sent us the radiance of your glory and reflection of your being, your very own word and only begotten Son, to make your image clear to us in all that He said and did and suffered for our salvation. We ask you now to pour out upon us always the Holy Spirit Jesus promised us from you that we may understand what He said and do as He did and share in His sufferings for us, growing toward the maturity of Jesus until we are perfected in your image by Him and joined to you with Him for all eternity. We make our prayer in His name, Christ Jesus the Lord. Amen.
